Chapter 25

024. Senior Donut

Breaking News: Eve 'I don't know Kelters.' Declaration Causes Shock; Will the Heroine Give Up?

"......Wait. You really don't know? Kelters?"

"Yes, I don't know him."

How did it come to this?

Eve was clearly paying attention to Kelters from the very beginning.

Why? Where was the foreshadowing?

Even if Kelters didn't take the Magic Department route, Eve never ignored him......

"But isn't he the representative of the first year?"

"Yes, I was a representative too. It's not that impressive, is it?"

"Isn't his status outstanding?"

Considering Kelters' status in the General Department is all around 15, it's quite excellent......

"Just 15. It's a value that can't even break through the wall, isn't it?"

"......"

That's true.

Talent is indeed cruel. 15 is just a talented kid. 16 is noticeable. 17 is considered the limit of an ordinary human, and 18 is when one gains the qualification to surpass the limit.

Rudica's talent, Aila and Eve's magic power, for example, start from 19, which can be called a genius of the century.

Wolfram's stamina 2 is enough to fight a grasshopper in the eastern forest.

Therefore, Kelters' status of 15 in the early stages was quite mediocre.

It's understandable that Eve didn't pay attention to him.

However, Kelters could surpass his own limits and, after countless adventures, became a genius on par with Eve.

But upon careful thought, it is strange. Why did Eve, who advocates for meritocracy, pay attention to Kelters from the beginning?

He was just a commoner boy with a status of 15.

My doubt was soon resolved.

"If......"

"Hmm?"

"If the boy Kelters had shown the ability to break through Aila Trista's 19 magic power with just 15 strength, I might have been shocked."

"......Ah."

That's right. In the original, at the point of the educational sparring, Eve felt that Kelters had 'something.'

And now......

It's gone.

Completely gone. It's a complete mess. It's just gone. It's gone.

And the reason is......

Because Wolfram advised Aila to be careful with her charge!

"Anyway, I'll take the donuts. And since I, the current student council president, came in person, guests will come more easily from now on. Got it?"

"Yeah, um."

"I hope you appreciate that the best consideration I can give to someone who hasn't been expelled for poor grades and hasn't disgraced the royal family. Hmm. Be grateful. Got it?"

"Um."

"Hey, Wolfram. ...Hey. Are you listening?"

"Huh? Yeah. Got it. Um. What did you say?"

"......I told you to eat candy."

I was lost in thought, and I vaguely responded to whatever Eve said from the side.

But what?

The kid really talks rudely.

Eve left, and I fell into thought again.

"If the main plot diverges from the beginning, how much has changed?"

With that thought, the sad smile of the red-haired boy flashed in my mind.

Kelters.

Sorry. It seems I messed up the Magic Department route.

"The main plot will be difficult, but...... What can be done about what has already happened?"

I really am sorry.

I didn't expect it to turn out this way.

But, you know, what can you do?

You have to endure. What can be done? Right?

***

The next morning.

Even though it was the weekend, Nephthys came to visit.

"What's the matter? There's no street vendor part-time job today."

"......Is that so? It's truly a pity. Then, can I get some food?"

The context doesn't match, you know.

"Knight Department students get free meals...... No, all academies provide free meals to students, don't they? You can eat breakfast, and I remember you coming even on weekends."

"Yes, that's true. However, ...well, I'm not sure about the Magic Department, but the Knight Department is a bit different."

Oh, this seems to be another difference from the game.

"Explain. If you can convince me, I'll give you a few leftover donuts from yesterday."

"......I'll do my best to explain. First, the Knight Department does provide free meals. That's correct. Specifically, lunch is free. For other meals, you need to apply. It costs money."

"Then, can't you just wait until lunch?"

"But this 'free' isn't just going and eating as much as you want. They give you meal tickets. When you give the ticket, they serve you a precise amount."

"Meal tickets?"

"Think about it. If it were a buffet, how much would the physically active Knight Department students eat every day? So, each meal ticket is for a precise amount. They use a magic engineering scale to measure the weight accurately. This is the Knight Department's meal system. But it tastes good, and the portion isn't small. So......"

"So?"

"The meal tickets are sold at a good price within the Knight Department."

"You sold all of them?"

"......I combine all of them and transfer the money at the beginning of each month."

Nephthys bowed deeply.

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Have some leftover donuts and strawberry beans iced tea if you want."

"I will repay this favor!"

Sure.

Can you even count how many favors you owe me?

***

While Nephthys was eating the donuts and drinking the iced tea with a silly smile, I recalled what I needed to do and immediately got to work.

I wrote on a wooden board with a pencil, erased it, wrote again, and erased it again.

As the characters gradually became neater, I felt satisfied, but sometimes I wanted to split the board in half because it wasn't right. As I continued this process of refinement and struggle, Nephthys approached and asked,

"What are you doing?"

"Skills and status per year."

"......What do you mean?"

In Jefrin, or rather D/Z SAGA, there are several ways to increase status. For example, you get bonus status when you acquire 'higher skills.' Next, wearing items like my Balance Glove. Then, completing achievements. And...... repetitive actions.

Repeating an action indefinitely has a slight impact on your status. It's like grinding, and you hardly feel the utility, but it definitely increases.

"Ah, status increase through repetitive actions...... Yes, I know it exists."

"Right. That's it."

I'm aiming to increase my status by writing 'beautifully' on the wooden board. Of course, the first is talent. Next, the will to write beautifully. Finally, the stamina to hold a pencil and write something.

"......Does your stamina really increase with that?"

"Hmph."

Will it?

It should?

Otherwise, I'll be very disappointed.

This alone is a threefold benefit. However, I added one more plan to this.

"So, what are you writing?"

"The text for the sign."

"Sign?"

"The sign for this convenience store. The donuts and snacks are incredibly delicious, but the reason customers don't come is that they don't know where this place is."

"That's true."

"Therefore, I'm making a sign that is both eye-catching and neat, and I'm practicing the text for the design."

"That won't improve the location."

Nephthys' words may seem cold, but they are a very accurate observation.

However.

"Is that a reason not to find a better solution? I'll do everything I can. Complaining comes later."

"......That's true. Honestly, I'm impressed. So, the rumors that you, Wolfram, are the embodiment of embezzlement and intrigue and almost ruined the academy as the student council president were just misunderstandings?"

"No, they're true."

"......"

What can you do? I am Wolfram now, and I have to accept it.

"Anyway, if you have nothing to do, go practice or find some edible grass."

"Um. It's a very rational and efficient way to spend a weekend, but I'll help."

"Help?"

"Yes, with the sign. My talent is 14. I'm quite talented. My stamina is good, so I can help when making the actual sign. Of course, I can do it for free today."

It's a good and appreciated offer, but......

"It's my job."

"Um. If you don't trust my skills, how about subcontracting?"

"You must do what you can yourself. Even if it's difficult and the writing is crooked, it's the foundation of your growth. If you write better, you might grow to the level of official documents. If you become more meticulous, you might be able to make more precise accessories."

"......You'll do it alone."

"It's hard to achieve. Effort is hard, but it's also hard to get the opportunity to make an effort."

That was my life as Lee Young-jin. I was an orphan and had no chance to study.

Getting opportunities is valuable, and effort is noble, but...... not everyone gets the chance to make an effort.

"So, this is my opportunity. Understand, Nephthys?"

"Hehe. Yes, I understand. I almost deprived you of the opportunity to make an effort. That was unbecoming of a knight."

"If you understand, step back. I'm busy."

"Can I watch from the side?"

"Have nothing else to do?"

"Watching someone make an effort is a pretty interesting thing to do."

"Do as you please